What to Wear Now: Fashion Trends to Try vs. Trends to Skip This Season [2025 Style Guide]
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7/5/20259 min read
Ready or not, this season’s fashion scene is rolling out everything from sunny suede to quirky stripes, and there’s no shortage of bold experiments in color and shape. But before you throw everything new into your closet, it pays to know what’s actually smart to wear versus what’s just here for a quick selfie moment.
Some trends—think wide-leg denim, snappy stripes, and dreamy boho touches—are proving their staying power through versatility and comfort. Others, like over-the-top animal prints or head-to-toe metallics, are buzzing now but likely to disappear just as fast as they showed up. If you want a wardrobe upgrade that makes sense all season, get ready to spot the difference between timeless picks and passing trends. It’s time for a fresh take on what to wear, what to skip, and why these style choices matter.
Versatile Trends Worth Trying: Investment Pieces
The trend cycle might spin faster than a hamster on espresso, but some styles are worth every penny. These trends aren’t just flashy for a week and gone the next—they offer real wardrobe power, mixing comfort, versatility, and longevity. Here are the current trends you’ll actually wear on repeat, earning back that cost-per-wear before you know it.
Suede Everything: From Bags to Matching Sets
The return of suede has everyone rethinking what counts as a wardrobe essential. This plush material is all over—skirts, outerwear, handbags, boots, and especially matching sets—with a retro vibe that refuses to stay in the past. Suede is perfect for anyone aiming to look effortlessly put together, no matter the occasion.
Suede pieces slide easily from work to weekend, thanks to:
Soft texture: Adds depth to layers and makes basics look luxe.
Year-round color range: From warm chestnut to soft camel and even colors like forest green.
Styling flexibility: Works with denim, knits, or crisp white shirts. Try a suede skirt with sneakers for day, then swap to heeled boots at night.
For style inspiration (and proof suede is everywhere), check the boho chic in suede guide. If you want a fashion investment that won’t feel tired next season, suede is a solid bet.
Vibrant Yellows and Aquatic Blues
This season, color isn’t shy. Vibrant yellows—like vanilla and saffron—and aquatic blues such as turquoise and mermaid-inspired metallics are lighting up everything from blazers to accessories. These punchy hues flatter most skin tones and work surprisingly well with basics already in your closet.
Some ways to wear these cheery shades:
Pair a butter yellow blouse with jeans to brighten up your basics.
Try a turquoise bag or shoes for a pop of color that doesn’t overpower the whole outfit.
For the bold, mix blue pants with a yellow sweater—these shades are playful, not loud.
Tap into the potential of these shades by exploring more on 2025 color trends. With the right accessories, this is risk-free color blocking—most of these pieces will work well into next year.
Coastal Cool: Breton Stripes, Sailor Flares, and Shell Jewelry
Nautical nostalgia is sailing back in, and this renewed coastal cool isn’t anchored to just one style. Breton stripes, crisp sailor pants, and chunky shell jewelry add a low-key, understated energy perfect for playing dress-up without the fuss.
Photo by Ron Lach
Here’s why these nautical elements work for almost everyone:
Stripes are timeless: Breton tees and dresses flatter every silhouette.
Sailor pants and flared denim: These add structure and a little leg-lengthening magic.
Subtle statement: Shell necklaces and rope details are playful but not overdone.
For more on how to steer into this trend with style, see this nautical trend explainer. Bonus: These classics work day-to-night, office-to-weekend.
Relaxed and Wide-Leg Denim
Skinny jeans are stepping aside and making space for jeans with some breathing room. Wide-leg, straight, and barrel-leg denim fits are not only forgiving, but they also bring a relaxed polish that works for every body type.
Here’s how these jeans work harder than fast-fading micro-trends:
Goodbye muffin top: High waists and relaxed fits are actually comfortable.
Ageless appeal: These jeans suit teens and grandparents alike.
Easy to dress up or down: Add sneakers for errands or a structured blazer for a dinner date.
Fashion editors are all-in on this comfort-first silhouette right now—check out the buzz around 2025’s denim trends. A pair in a classic wash is worth the investment, since the shape flatters and never feels dated.
Maximalism With a Twist: Vintage Jewelry and Animal Prints
Minimalism, take a seat. This season, jewelry and accessories get the “bigger is better” treatment with vintage-inspired brooches, chunky cocktail rings, and a wild dash of animal prints. The twist? These extras aren’t just for special occasions—they add personality to casual staples, too.
Why bold is best:
Jewels mix with everything: Pin a gem brooch to your denim jacket or backpack.
Animal prints as neutrals: Leopard loafers or a zebra tote can go with almost anything.
Personal touch: Grab unique finds from thrift stores or family heirlooms.
Want to see why maximalism is getting all the love? Peek at this runway roundup for real-life ways to work statement accessories and patterns into your style, no matter your vibe.
These trends aren’t a flash in the pan—think of them as the life of the wardrobe party, sticking around long after the crowd has moved on.
Trends to Skip: The Fads Fading Fast
Every season brings a batch of fun but risky trends—pieces that seem bold or ironic but rarely make it past a handful of Instagram posts. Some old-school styles just don’t translate (no matter how hard TikTok tries), and others go from cool to cringe before you know it. Ready to know which trends you can skip without FOMO? Let’s break down the ones losing steam, and flag why you’ll want to pick smarter swaps instead.
Jelly Shoes and Capris: Leave Them to Nostalgia
If jelly shoes summon memories of sticking to the floor as a kid, you’re not alone. The retro plastic shoes are cute in theory, but the squeaky, sweaty reality never lives up to the hype. Capris are back too, but their in-between length just leaves most of us asking, “Should I have just worn shorts or pants?”
Far better options:
For shoes: Go for classic leather sandals or sleek sneakers. They last longer and actually breathe.
For pants: Try cropped wide-leg trousers or timeless ankle jeans that don’t cut your legs off.
Nostalgia is fun for a flashback, but these picks work better in throwback photos than in your day-to-day. More evidence? Fashion editors are calling out capris as “dated” in their summer 2025 skip list.
Excessive Sequins and Metallics for Daywear
Sequins and metallic fabrics bring the party, sure, but splashing them over every inch of your outfit for daytime is too much, too soon. Head-to-toe shimmer leaves you looking more like a disco ball than a style icon.
Want to sparkle without blinding your coffee shop? Here’s how:
Work sequined accessories or a metallic shoe into an otherwise simple outfit.
Mix a soft metallic top with tailored jeans or a neutral skirt.
A touch of sheen goes a long way, letting you shine without feeling costume-y. Even major magazines are spotting the shift to subtler shine over full-on glitz.
Babydoll Tops and Peplum Overkill
Babydoll tops and peplum cuts may hint at playful vibes, but too often, they miss the mark. The exaggerated shapes add bulk and rarely suit today’s focus on relaxed, natural fits. The look ends up feeling oddly stiff, when comfort and softness are what’s in.
Ready for an upgrade?
Go for softly draped blouses or button-downs in breathable fabrics.
Choose relaxed tailoring that flatters without fuss.
While some users over at Reddit’s fashion advice forum are bracing for babydoll and peplum’s return, it’s safe to say that flowing cuts and subtle tailoring settle better into modern routines.
Micro-Shorts and Ultra-Frayed Denim
The shortest of shorts are drawing side-eyes this year, with ultra-frayed denim getting less love on fashion feeds. Not only do they ride up (in every sense), but they also tend to limit your outfit options.
What’s looking fresher?
Swap for Bermuda shorts in denim or cotton—still cool, just much easier to wear and style.
Classic straight-leg jeans hit the mark for versatility and comfort.
The style world is swinging towards more tailored cuts, saying goodbye to exposed pockets and hems that unravel before lunch. Editors signal the move away from over-distressed basics, favoring polish over gimmicks.
Balletcore Overload: Tulle, Leg Warmers, and All the Pink
The balletcore wave—think puffy tulle, leg warmers, and candy-pink everything—is tipping into costume territory. It’s easy to go from chic to “recital-ready” with one too many layers of pastel.
To keep the look grown up and wearable:
Channel the mood with satin ballet flats, a wrap cardigan, or a hint of blush pink.
Ditch the full tutu for floaty skirts in solid neutrals.
A little balletcore nod works wonders, but full-on tulle has most people feeling better left to childhood dress-up bins. Social buzz points to trends people want to see gone in 2025, and balletcore excess is right at the top.
Photo by cottonbro studio
Fashion has space for a little fun—just make sure your closet isn’t weighed down with trends that already feel out of step.
How to Shop Trends Smartly: Your Playful Guide
Ready to have fun with trends without turning your closet into a thrift-store tornado? Shopping smart is your best defense against fleeting fads and fashion FOMO. Discover how to spot pieces that last, edit your wardrobe like a pro, and sprinkle new trends into tried-and-true outfits.
Cost-Per-Wear: How to Spot a True Investment
Think cost-per-wear, not sticker shock! The best investments aren't always the fanciest or most expensive. They’re the pieces you’ll reach for over and over—your knit blazer, your perfect-fit jeans, your classic white sneakers.
Here’s how you can tell if a trend is worth your hard-earned money:
Quality beats hype: Touch the fabric, check stitching, and see if it survives a spin-cycle. High-quality materials and construction mean your purchase will hang around long after the trend dies down.
Mix-and-match value: Can you wear this with three things you already own? The more outfits a piece completes, the better the investment.
Timeless twist: Look for trendy touches on classic shapes—a modern stripe on a midi dress or subtle upgrades to a denim jacket.
As seasoned style experts share, a solid wardrobe investment "will last a long time and age well due to the quality of the material, construction, etc." (Reddit’s guide to true wardrobe investments).
Not sure how to pick smart additions? Check out practical tips on shopping for investment wardrobe pieces. Spoiler: the best ones will serve you year after year, not just this selfie season!
Editing Your Closet: Know When to Let Go
A well-loved closet is like a garden—it needs regular weeding. That means saying goodbye to impulse buys, faded fads, and jeans you only keep for nostalgia.
How to refresh your lineup, no drama needed:
One-in, one-out: Each time you add something trendy, donate or sell one thing you don’t wear.
Try the three-wear rule: If you haven’t worn it in a year or can’t see yourself styling it three ways, set it free.
Get a second opinion: Invite a friend for a closet cleanout—you’ll get laughs and honest advice.
Regular editing keeps your style sharp and frees up space for pieces you actually love. After all, your clothes deserve more than just taking up hanger space.
Mixing Old With New: Fun Ways to Update Your Look
Here’s where things get playful! The magic happens when you combine classic, go-to outfits with this season’s trends. Your style looks fresh, not forced—and old favorites get a new lease on life.
Photo by Mnz
Try these quick updates:
Add a neon bag or shoes to give a basic outfit a pop of color.
Layer your vintage denim jacket over a trendy striped midi dress for new shape and texture.
Accessorize with chunky jewelry, a new hat, or shell earrings to bring personality to plain pieces.
Mixing high and low, old and new, trend and timeless makes your wardrobe one-of-a-kind. For more style swaps and ideas on what to try (and what to skip!), check out the 2025 fashion trends overview from Glamour and discover easy ways to refresh your look with versatile updates.
Fashion shouldn’t feel like homework. Think of your closet as a playground—bring in new friends, but only the ones who play well with the classics!
Conclusion
This season proves it: style wins when you mix bold picks with reliable staples. Suede sets, punchy stripes, and easygoing denim bring true staying power to your closet, while overdone ruffles, micro-shorts, and jelly shoes can sit this one out in the archives. Embrace trends with personality, but choose pieces you’ll actually love next year—not just for a trending tag.
Fashion only gets fun when it feels like you, so try something unexpected but skip the pressure to follow every flash-in-the-pan fad. Dive into your personal remix, trust your style instinct, and always leave room in your closet for a little fun. Thanks for reading—now, which trend are you claiming as your own? Drop your favorites below or share your best “thanks, but no thanks” style moment!
